Suspensory behavior, exhibited by
primates and
sloths, is a form of
arboreal locomotion or a
feeding behavior which involves hanging or suspension of the body below or among the branches, rather than moving or sitting on top of the branches. This includes
brachiation,
climbing, and bridging, and allows larger species to distribute their weight among smaller branches rather than balancing above these weak supports.
Ruffed lemurs,
sifakas,
spider monkeys,
gibbons, and
orangutans are examples of primates that exhibit suspensory behaviors.